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African Economy
The Q1 2025 VAT Revenue Distribution in Nigeria
Federation Account Allocation Committee
The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) recently released its Value Added Tax report for the first quarter of 2025, revealing that Nigeria’s 36 states collectively generated ₦1.5 trillion in VAT revenue.
Analysing Q1 2025 VAT revenue distribution in Nigeria helps us understand both the strengths and weaknesses of state economies and highlights where policy intervention may be needed.
Lagos State’s Overwhelming Lead
Lagos State once again dominated VAT collections, contributing ₦819.62 billion—more than half of the national total.
This figure underscores Lagos’s role as Nigeria’s commercial powerhouse, driven by its dense population, bustling ports, and vibrant service sector.
Despite efforts to expand economic activity elsewhere, no other state came close to matching Lagos’s pace.
Second and Third Places: Rivers and Oyo
Rivers State followed with VAT receipts of ₦278.23 billion, reflecting its oil-rich economy and industrial base, while Oyo State secured third place by generating ₦79.78 billion in VAT during the quarter.
Behind these front-runners, Bayelsa posted ₦27.26 billion, Kano ₦22.97 billion, and Edo and Delta both contributed above ₦20 billion each, showing that southern oil states and key industrial centres remain critical VAT engines.
Heavy Concentration in the South and Industrial Hubs
The Q1 2025 figures demonstrate that VAT collections remain heavily concentrated in a handful of southern, oil-rich, and industrialised states.
Together, Lagos and Rivers alone accounted for nearly 73 percent of total VAT revenue, while the top ten contributors, including Akwa Ibom, Kwara, and Benue, represented the lion’s share of national receipts.
This pattern underscores a persistent regional imbalance in consumption levels, business activity, and formal economic participation.
States at the Bottom: Taraba, Imo, and Abia
At the other end of the spectrum, smaller and northern states saw minimal VAT inflows. Taraba State recorded the lowest VAT revenue, at just ₦2.33 billion, with Imo State close behind at ₦2.34 billion and Abia State at ₦2.92 billion .
These figures reflect limited industrialisation, lower consumer spending, and a narrow tax base in many inland and rural regions, highlighting the urgent need for targeted economic development.
Implications for Policy and Growth
The stark concentration of VAT collections in a few states raises questions about the equity and effectiveness of Nigeria’s fiscal federalism.
While Lagos and a handful of others drive the bulk of consumption-based tax revenue, many states struggle to mobilise resources.
Policymakers may need to consider measures such as incentivising investment in lagging regions, supporting small and medium enterprises, and strengthening tax-collection infrastructure to broaden the VAT base and reduce regional disparities.
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